Dangote Denies Filing New Lawsuits Against NNPC and Others

The Dangote Group has clarified that it has not initiated any new legal actions against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and other entities. This statement came in response to reports suggesting that Dangote had taken NNPC, Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, A.A. Rano Limited, and four other companies to the Federal High Court in Abuja over fuel importation.

Reports alleged that Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE sought to nullify import licenses granted to these companies for refined petroleum products that the refinery already produces. Additionally, the refinery reportedly sought N100 billion in damages against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for continuing to issue import licenses to competitors despite surplus production from Dangote Refinery.

The group, however, clarified that this matter, initiated in September 2024, is no longer active. “This is an old issue that began in June and culminated in a filing on September 6, 2024,” said the statement. “Following directives from President Bola Tinubu regarding the Crude Oil and Refined Products sales in Naira Initiative, significant progress has been made, and the situation has been resolved.”

Dangote confirmed that no court orders have been issued, and there are no plans to pursue the legal matter further. A formal withdrawal is anticipated when the case is reviewed in January 2025.
Source: Dangote